KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): The Sessions Court has allowed Tasek Gelugor Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s passport to be temporarily returned to him in his bid to tend to family matters overseas.

Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob ordered for the passport to be returned to him from Thursday, and for it to be surrendered back to court on Aug 19.

Wan Saiful’s lawyer Chetan Jethwani informed the court that his client will be travelling to Singapore and Indonesia during this period to see to some family matters. 

The former Bersatu information chief will be in Singapore to close his late wife’s bank accounts, and later in Indonesia to visit family.

Deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni informed the court that the prosecution had no objections to the application.

Wan Saiful’s travel document is impounded by the court while he stands trial in his corruption and money-laundering case.

The trial will also be presided over by a new judge, as Rozina will be transferred in mid-August. The court has set Aug 19 for case management to set further trial dates.

The trial, which started in March this year, has seen about nine prosecution witnesses take the stand thus far. The prosecution plans to call about 50 witnesses.

Wan Saiful is charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 with soliciting bribes to help Nepturis Sdn Bhd secure a Central Spine Road project from the federal government through pre-qualification in April 2022.

On the second charge, Wan Saiful is charged under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act with receiving RM6.96 million through his company’s account from Nepturis, as an inducement to help Nepturis secure a letter of award for the same project.

The offences were allegedly committed between July 8 and Sept 30, 2022.  

Both charges under the MACC Act are punishable under Section 24 of the Act, and carry a sentence of up to 20 years in jail, and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Wan Saiful also faces 18 charges of money laundering, amounting to RM5.594 million.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/722096